Gabrielle Burgess a.k.a Suga of Suga Lifestyle, with the Master Blender of the Wray and Nephew line of fine rums, Mrs. Joy Spence, OD at the first staging of the Jamaica Rum Festival earlier this year.

Cocktail culture has diversfied tremendously in Jamaica and what better spirit to do it with, Rum! Suga is looking forward to mixes with the Appleton Estate Signature Blend. Look out for Bars, Restaurants and Tours across Jamaica offering specials and hosting celebrations.

Here are just a few!

Kingston

Montego Bay

Ocho Rios

St. Elizabeth

Clarendon

For our people who love mass celebrations, Appleton Estate, Jamaica’s popular international spirit, is hosting National Rum Day celebrations at Murray’s Chillin’ in Clarendon, where a live free concert will be held, headlined by Wayne Marshall and Maxi Priest.

Enjoy the weekend and Drink Responsibly!

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

I told you to stay tuned this week for more Suga highlights from Kingston Kitchen held last Saturday at Hope Gardens!

I am enthusiastic to report that the Grilled Cheese Sandwiches from Outland Hurders Creamery and Farmstead did not disappoint! There was a small change in plans from the raspberry recipe, but the locally made artisan cheeses used, Jamaican Jack and the 2-week old Crescenza were so rich. #realrich. The Cheeses were the highlight of the sandwiches as they should be, whether it was a classic Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Sweet with Caramelized Onions or a little spicy with Cilantro. Well done Outland Hurders from Manchester!

#SugaEndorsed

The Beef and Lamb Shawarma Fries from 2 Yutes were delish.

Chris and Lisa Binns in action from Stush in the Bush at Kingston Kitchen last Saturday, July 27, 2019.

It was no surprise that Stush in the Bush were a hit for persons looking for a healthy option to indulge or just consistently tasty gourmet delights. They served up a wide range of options, including their Condiments made with Love and Affection, but their Fyah Grilled Pizzas, Vegan Parmesan and scrumptious Beignets with Chocolate Sauce Passion curd were popular amongst patrons.

Stush in the Bush’s Beignets with Chocolate Sauce Passion curd.If you missed it, Stush in the Bush’s Menu to Gastronomy Heaven!

One One Cacao came with a unique, refreshing option of a Cacao rum shot!

Jabba’s Peppa Swims came with Peppa Swims Kebabs, Seafood Pasta, Mallah Crab and more to tantalize the tastebuds!

Mallah Crab from Jabbas Peppa Swims!

Suga Tasters and Suga Babies including myself were quite impressed with newbies, All Spice Catering & Events’ Food Truck! Their Chicken & Waffles and Seafood Boil were divine. I was too full to try their Oxtail Arancini, but next time! #SugaSnaps #SugaEndorsed

Chicken & Waffles from All Spice Catering and Events’ Food Truck

Dream Bowls Ja were a hit as expected and so were the sweet treats from Kup Up Kreations!

Nice Cream, a hit at Kingston Kitchen for their 2nd year!

The young ladies from Nice Cream did well recruiting patrons to taste their non-dairy Ice cream that was still so flavourful!

I am sure patrons enjoyed much more, but taking menus into consideration, feedback from Suga Tasters and my picks that did not disappoint, those were the highlights folks! If you missed the highlights from Tuesday’s thowback, check it out. How could I forget the Churros from Fromage!

Happy Tuesday Suga Bears, Suga Babies and Suga Daddies! If you missed Suga Lifestyle’s Instastories from Kingston Kitchen, you missed all the good stuff! Not to worry, I will be highlighting a few this week.

Suga is proud to say her Hit List was on point! Well done to all who participated and kudos to Leisha Wong and her Kingston Kitchen team for another fantastic staging of Kingston Kitchen. Great event for family and friends to come together.

#tbt to the crackling, juicy Pork Belly from Fromage Gourmet Market and the tender Steak Bruschetta from Cannonball Café!

The website, Suga Lifestyle was launched in November 2013 by Gabrielle Burgess a.k.a Suga.

Since then, I have been bringing you up to date, exciting reviews of culinary hot spots and hidden gems across the island and even a few international ones too.

I was given the honour and pleasure of being a Food Judge for The Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards in 2014 and served as a Jamaica Gleaner Restaurant Week Ambassador by the public’s vote in 2015.

Suga Lifestyle has been known to keep it real, giving honest, yet balanced reviews, taking you through each review line by line, almost letting you feel as if you were there.

Suga Lifestyle has grown a lot since 2013, where it has maintained its goal of intending to inspire, educate and entertain via various types of posts categorized by; GW Art,
Restaurant Reviews and Ratings, Brand Jamaica, Charities, Health and Fitness, Sports and more. The blog, currently has a reach of over 1,500 followers and grows daily.

To further expand Suga Lifestyle’s reach, I have selected Suga Tasters!

Suga Tasters are Objective, Observant, Adventurous travelers and foodies that support Brand Jamaica. They enjoy taking photos and keeping up to date and in touch with the Culinary industry, the Chefs, Bakers and Caterers that keep it alive and thriving, and of course, hot spots and hidden gems in Jamaica, Florida and Washington DC.

Craig is a Logistics Specialist, but also a Private Chef. His favourite dishes are Smoked Salmon and Petrossian Beluga Caviar Pizza from Spago in Beverly Hills (USA), Escargots from the Terra Nova Hotel and Pho!

Craig’s favourite places to eat casually out of town are Stush in the Bush, Mystic Thai, Woody’s Portland and Jack Sprat, Treasure Beach.

Craig is even more straighforward than Suga, has Cosmopolitan culinary expertise from travelling, culinary school and various events.

Look out for Suga Taster, Craig Fleming’s Review tomorrow!

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

The 21st staging of the Table Talk Jamaica Observer Food Awards last Thursday on the lawns of Devon House was truly a euphoric atmosphere with the highest standards of food and drink in abundance with vibrant music to bounce and wobble to while guests indulged.

All the booths were quite inviting, but with experience, my friends and I were quite selective about our approach to ensure that we didn’t neglect or overlook any of our favourites or newbies on our hit list.

We started at Rainforest Seafoods, where they had salivating Sushi spreads and Wines to pair it all with, including one of my faves, the Kung Fu Girl Riesling courtesy of Select Brands.

One of the salivating Sushi spreads from Rainforest Seafoods.

We then made our way over to the Restaurant booths from Sandals Resorts International. Tender, juicy cuts of Beef, Ham and Lamb, Seafood, Ribs, Cheese platters, Cocktails, you name it!

As I continued to walk the lawns of Devon House with 18-year old whiskey in hand from Johnnie Walker, my stops had to include my other faves, Stush in the Bush, Christina Simonitsch, Half Moon, Uncorked Sovereign North, Mystic Thai, Steak House on the Verandah and newbies, Jamaican Peanut Butter Factory and Butcher Block by Gregory Burrowes who had savoury offerings from Chef Celeste Gordon, last year’s OFA Caterer of he Year.

Sending a special shout out and hearty Congratulations to Chris and Lisa Binns of Stush in the Bush who cleaned up this year and deservedly so! Their plant powered spread by their very own Sagicor Group booth this year, satisfied scores of guests at a time.

Lisa and Chris Binns of Stush in the Bush who walked away with 3 awards including the coveted, ‘Jamaican Restaurant with Outstanding Gastronomy Experience Award’.

Christina Simonitsch, who walked away the Enterprise and Outstanding Caterer Awards tantalised our taste buds with her Charred Scotchie Shrimp, then cooled it down with her G.H. Mumm & Strawberry Popsicles. The scrumptious Oxtail Arancini left me speechless.

A taste of what to expect from the Seafood Restaurant to come at Half Moon, Delmare were absolutely delicious Pan Seared Scallops accompanied by tomato compote with saffron and vanilla zucchini spaghetti with Tarragon.

Even if I didn’t indulge, I had to also stop by newbies Chillin’ Restaurant and Bar, Seaside Dutchie and Tastee Ltd./Brew’d Awakenings

Grace Kennedy’s Harbour Wines and Spirits also impressed with their Ménage à Trois selection of Wines and more.

You are always as good as your last show and this was by far the biggest and best Table Talk Jamaica Observer Food Awards that I have attended.

This year the Food Awards celebrated various Communities with Jamaican cuisine as authentic as you can get. Congratulations to the Chefs of theCommunities that were selected and awarded:

• The Sephestines for Mount Estate, St. Thomas• Monica Ottar for Bailey’s Vale, St. Mary• The Allens for Gifford House – Granville, St. James, Montego Bay• Christopher Marsh for Chris’s Cafe – Main Street, Oracabessa St. Mary• Chris & Lisa Binns for Stush in the Bush – Free Hill, St. Ann

Chefs, Bakers, Caterers, Retailers and Restaurants have really elevated the level of quality for what they had to offer over the past year.

Congratulations to conceptualiser, Novia McDonald Whyte, the Jamaica Observer, the Judges, Sponsors, Retailers, the talented Nominees, Awardees and everyone responsible for the successful execution and staging of the Food Awards this year.

Cheers to next year!

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.